A sibling rivalry of a different sort is set to play itself out during the Tokio Millenium Re Kids Duathlon on Front Street tonight.

Tommy and Jessie Marshall, who both attend Saltus Grammar School, are among the pre-race favourites to claim overall senior boys’ and girls’ honours.

Also expected to be in the hunt for the senior girls’ title are sisters Zoe and Jasmine Hasselkus, who attend Somersfield Academy. Jake Brislane and Manning Smith are among those with an outside chance for the boys’ title and Megan Hands Amber Simons and Myesha Shariff among the girls.

Promising pair Tommy and Zoe will go into the event with some momentum having won the junior boys’ and girls’ titles at the Butterfield Bermuda Grand Prix last weekend.

Tonight’s event will showcase the budding talents of nearly 300 youngsters, ranging in ages between seven and 15, that have been divided into two age groups and will compete over two separate distances.

“The children are very excited and the public can expect to see some really fast, fun and enjoyable racing,” Neil De St Croix, the race director, said.

“A lot of them are first time athletes and to get this kind of exposure and to see the professionals the next day is huge for them. That’s how Flora Duffy started by her standing there watching the World Cup we had in 1990s, so it’s gone full circle.

“These children will now watch Flora, which will be even more inspiring because they’re watching someone local and so will know it’s possible if you train hard and with the right attitude dreams do come true.”

The racecourse for the 7 to 10 age group consists of a 400 metres run, three kilometres bike and another 400 run. The 11 to 15 age group will compete over a 1,200 run, 6km bike and 800 run. The event starts at 7pm.